Jase

Courtois has been crowned as the best goalkeeper in Spain for 2012/13 season. Him and the award..

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17vjzh_reaction-mourinho-on-southampton_sport http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17vj1u_reaction-terry-on-southampton_sport http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x17vj05_reaction-cahill-on-southampton_sport

No shit sherlock! We probably need to find another player like Ramires, if possible considering how his attributes and strengths are so important to us. Every time, I freak out if he happens to be on the ground in pain or looking as if he suffers from an injury. Nobody in the team right now will be able to replace him. Shame Essien has gone totally off the boil with all those injuries.

It's just like what Rmpr said recently. People can never seem to find a middle ground on Mourinho. There will be the bunch that completely overstates what he does and the other bunch goes totally over critical, just like what is happening above.

Err, yeah...like anyone is surprise by that.

It's somewhat mysterious that he has been under-used lately especially when 1-2 of those games suit his strengths perfectly. Then again, the fact that we have 6 AMs available is a problem. Even Willian hasn't been starting games...

He has been desperate for that goal alright since his last one came against Spurs at WHL last season (IIRC).

I get what you're saying regarding Oscar and Mata putting in a shift and all that but seriously, have found it hilarious (not aimed at you specifically) that people these days still thinks Mata doesn't work hard enough. Granted, he may not or probably won't be an all round action player running up and down the pitch all day long tracking back in the manner Oscar does but Mata's defensive workrate has certainly improved under Mourinho and yet people still seem to think he strolls around on the pitch doing nothing like before when we don't have the ball. At times, it just feel as though Mata is being blamed or put down simply because for not being a player like Oscar or someone he isn't rather than actually appreciate the work/shift he puts in objectively.

It's just a frustration any manager would have if they see their players producing a moment like that. Don't think there is anything or should there be any need to read too much into it.

Oscar, errr, instagramed this..

Sunderland vs Chelsea PRE-MATCH DISCUSSION AND LIVE CHAT English Premier League 4th December, Wednesday, 2013 Stadium of Light 19:45 Kick Off (UK time)

Sunderland 3-4 Chelsea POST-MATCH DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS English Premier League 4th December, Wednesday, 2013 Stadium of Light 19:45 Kick Off (UK time)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92frHf5mZRs

Ran the show in the second half. Created a number of great opportunities, put in some good passes and deliveries into the final third. Could have done better maybe in 1-2 situations but done very well overall. Certainly deserves to start the next few games against the likes of Sunderland, Stoke, Steaua and Crystal Palace.

Hope his injury isn't anything serious. Don't need anyone to get injured heading into this crucial period of time. However on the other hand, this maybe a blessing disguise of sorts for him as he can get a bit of rest. He has been playing way too many games already this past year, from the Olympics to the 60+ games last season to being picked by Mourinho in basically every game this season.

Indeed. Barring that one shocking game he had against Villa, Ba has done well of the task asked from him everytime he plays. Nothing fancy but has certainly been effective and efficient. Deserves a tad more credit than he's probably getting.

First half was meh but second half was great to complete the turnaround and get a much needed win. The introduction of Ba certainly helped our cause with the more direct approach.

Maybe? Sit out of the Sunderland game so that he can play against Stoke next weekend at the Britannia. Wouldn't want Ivanovic to pick up that yellow card against Sunderland and missed out on Stoke. Need all the physicality and height there.

Ivanovic is one yellow card away from serving a one domestic game suspension...

You pretty much just answered your own question...

I'm sure @Melanicus will love to see that happening.

Teams can't face another team from the same country as them in the Last 16. Such ties can only happen from the quarter finals onwards!

He's preparing to execute the GTS.

I get what you're saying about Barcelona but now, they are not so obsessed with keeping the ball, playing the tiki-taka football, pressing the opposition back etc like they were under Guardiola. They are much more adaptable and streetwise in their approach under Gerardo Martino, capable of playing differently depending on opposition.

On the subject of facing tough teams, just saw the all group permutations and realized that if City finish second in their group behind Bayern (unless they beat them by 3-0 or a 2-goal margin of 4-2 or more) and all the other English clubs win their group, there are then only 4 possible opponents for City in Last 16 - Real Madrid, PSG, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. On the other hand, it's a similar case with us. If we finish second in the group and Arsenal and United win their group, then our Last 16 opponent will either be Real Madrid, PSG, Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Atletico Madrid. That is not what we want, certainly not in the last 16 just yet!